Music: Name-dropping
Kennedy is back, but this time he's dropped the Nigel. Playing with the University Chamber Orchestra, whose professional and thoughtful performance of Dvorak's 8yh Symphony was appreciated by a packed theatre. In typical 'bad boy' style, Kennedy kept the audience waiting some 15 minutes for his appearance in the second half. Breaking the Sheldonian's traditional air by chatting to the orchestra and audience, he extended the programme to include duets with the leader and principal cellist of OUCO. The student violinist in particular distinguished himself in the Bartok duets he chose to perform. As anticipated, Bruch's beautiful and passionate violin concerto was the highlight of the evening. Standing and chatting, Kennedy is obviously a born performer; with his violin under his chin, he was in another world. Punctuating the music with stamps, hopping and shuffling around the stage, his technical brilliance was equalled by his talents of expression and emotion.